Vehicle air comfort system and method

ABSTRACT

Vehicle air comfort systems and methods. The systems and methods may comprise: (1) a plurality of flow tunnels for passage of a heat-transfer fluid; (2) a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the flow tunnels for thermally conditioning the heat-transfer fluid in the flow tunnels; (3) an air inlet for receiving unconditioned air; (4) a thermal exchange assembly for facilitating thermal exchange between the thermally conditioned heat-transfer fluid and the unconditioned air to result in conditioning of the air; and (5) an air outlet for outputting the conditioned air into the vehicle.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/463,242, filed on Aug. 19, 2014. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/463,242 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/864,627, filed Apr. 17, 2013. U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/864,627 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/549,319, filed Aug. 27, 2009. U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/549,319 claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/092,313, filed on Aug. 27, 2008. U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/463,242, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/864,627, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/549,319, and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/092,313 are each incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to air conditioning systems and methods,and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to temperaturecontrol assemblies and methods for selective temperature control ofenclosures, such as a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

History of Related Art

Temperature control systems such as vehicle heaters and air conditionershave improved in recent years. Most common in the transportationindustry today are compressor based air-conditioning units that usepower from the engine to drive the compressor. When the engine isidling, running the A/C unit may require the engine to idle at higherRPM's. Idling the engine at higher RPM's, however, causes an increase innoise, fuel consumption, and pollution. Furthermore, high fuel pricesmake it desirable to turn the vehicle's engine off when the vehicle isparked for extended periods of time. In order to run a compressor-basedA/C unit while the engine is off, power from the vehicle's battery poweris generally needed. Such battery use can, however, only be continuedfor a short period of time before the battery is completely emptied.

Federal and local regulations have exacerbated the problems associatedwith the above-mentioned issues. For environmental reasons, vehiclesparked at truck stops are often only allowed to idle for a limitedperiod of time. In certain instances, this time is as little as only afew minutes. Unfortunately, vehicle drivers are often required to stayovernight at truck stops or the likes for a myriad of reasons. Onereason may be that the driver reaches the maximum number of operatinghours allowed by company policy or other regulations. Another reason maybe that the driver becomes too tired to continue driving safely.

It is well known that many of commercial drivers choose to sleep intheir respective vehicles while parked at truck stops or other restareas. Whether during the day or overnight, the temperature outside maybe too hot to comfortably sleep without air conditioning. In thosesituations, it would be desirable to have a vehicle air-conditioningunit capable of cooling an interior of the vehicle without running thevehicle's engine. It is also critical that any better power consumptionwill not drain the vehicle's battery below the minimum level required tostart the vehicle the next day.

It should also be noted that the temperature outside the vehicle mayalso be too low for the driver to sleep comfortably in the vehiclewithout having a heater running. In those situations, it would bedesirable to have a heating unit capable of heating an interior of thevehicle without requiring the vehicle's engine to be running. It wouldalso be desirable for the heating unit to heat the interior of thevehicle in such a way that the vehicle's battery is not drained belowthe minimum level required to start the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle air comfort systems andmethods. More particularly, one aspect of the present invention includesvehicle air comfort systems and methods which may be used to cool orheat unconditioned air in an efficient and environmentally friendlymanner.

In some embodiments, a vehicle air comfort system is provided thatcomprises a plurality of flow tunnels for passage of a heat-transferfluid. The vehicle air comfort systems may also comprise athermoelectric cooler that is in thermal communication with the flowtunnels and operable to thermally condition the heat-transfer fluid inthe flow tunnels. The system may further comprise an air inlet forreceiving unconditioned air. In addition, the system may comprise athermal exchange assembly that is operable to facilitate thermalexchange between the thermally conditioned heat-transfer fluid and theunconditioned air in order to condition the air. The system may alsocomprise an air outlet for outputting the conditioned air into avehicle. In various embodiments, conditioning may comprise cooling orheating the unconditioned air.

In other embodiments, vehicle air comfort systems of the presentinvention may further comprise a plurality of fins that are operable todissipate thermal energy from the thermoelectric cooler. Likewise, thevehicle air comfort systems in some embodiments may comprise athermoelectric cooler exhaust for outputting dissipated thermal energyfrom the thermoelectric cooler.

In some embodiments, the thermal exchange assembly may be a radiator. Insome embodiments, the thermal exchange assembly may comprise a fluidinlet for receiving thermally conditioned heat transfer fluid, a bodyfor facilitating thermal exchange between the thermally conditioned heattransfer fluid and the unconditioned air, and a fluid outlet foroutputting the heat transfer fluid after the thermal exchange.

In additional embodiments, vehicle air comfort systems may comprise atubing network that is operable to place the heat transfer assembly influid communication with the thermal exchange assembly. In someembodiments, the tubing network may be a closed-loop circuit. Inadditional embodiments, the tubing network may comprise a pump forfacilitating the passage of the heat-transfer fluid. In variousembodiments, the heat transfer fluid may be a coolant.

In some embodiments, vehicle air comfort systems may further compriseone or more fans for facilitating the movement of conditioned orunconditioned air. In some embodiments, the vehicle air comfort systemsmay comprise a pre-cool unit for pre-cooling the unconditioned air. Thevehicle air comfort systems of the present invention may also compriseone or more filter units for filtering the conditioned or unconditionedair. Similarly, the vehicle air comfort systems may comprise anevaporator unit for humidifying the conditioned or unconditioned air.

In additional embodiments, vehicle air comfort systems may also compriseone or more sensors for monitoring one or more operating conditionsassociated with the system. Vehicle air comfort systems of the presentinvention may also comprise a user interface for monitoring and/orcontrolling one or more operating conditions associated with the system.

Other embodiments of the present invention include methods forconditioning the air of a vehicle by the vehicle air conditioningsystems of the present invention. In some embodiments, the methods maycomprise: (1) passing a heat transfer fluid through the plurality offlow tunnels of the vehicle air comfort system; (2) thermallyconditioning the heat-transfer fluid in the flow tunnels by the use ofthermoelectric coolers; (3) passing the thermally conditioned heattransfer fluid and unconditioned air through the thermal exchangeassembly, wherein the passing results in thermal exchange between theheat transfer fluid and the unconditioned air, and wherein the thermalexchange results in the conditioning of the unconditioned air; and (4)outputting the conditioned air through the air outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the presentinvention may be obtained by reference to the following DetailedDescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an air comfort system in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of one example of a vehicle using an aircomfort system in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a heat transfer assembly in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an air comfort system in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of an air comfort system in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the dehumidifier shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of the heat transfer assembly shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, methods and systems thatprovide a substantially emission-free solution and afford a comfortableenvironment inside an enclosure, such as, for example, inside a parkedvehicle. More specifically, in accordance with other aspects of theinvention, the present invention provides numerous vehicle air comfortsystems and methods to condition the air inside a vehicle.

In some embodiments, the vehicle air comfort systems and methods of thepresent invention can be used to condition the air inside a truck, suchas Class 7 sleeper trucks or Class 8 day cab trucks. In otherembodiments, the vehicle air comfort systems and methods of the presentinvention may be used to condition the air inside a tractor-trailer. Inmore specific embodiments, the vehicle air comfort systems and methodsof the present invention can be used to condition the air in a cabin ora sleeping space of a vehicle.

The vehicle air comfort systems of the present invention can be poweredby numerous sources, such as by the vehicle's battery unit, or by apower supply independent of the vehicle's battery unit. In otherembodiments, the systems can be powered by solar energy. In morespecific embodiments, the systems may be powered by utilizing Lead-Acidor Lithium-Ion batteries as the energy source.

In a first example, a vehicle air comfort system of the presentinvention, as discussed in more detail below, may comprise: (1) an airinlet, such as a return air compartment, for receiving unconditionedair; (2) a plurality of flow tunnels for passage of the unconditionedair; (3) a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) in thermal communication with theflow tunnels for conditioning the passing unconditioned air; and (4) anair outlet, such as a vent, for outputting the conditioned air into avehicle. However, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, theorder and arrangement of the above-mentioned vehicle air comfort systemcomponents may be varied while still accomplishing the goal ofconditioning the air. Likewise, in additional embodiments, one or moreof the above-mentioned components may be entirely absent while sillaccomplishing the goal of conditioning the air.

In some embodiments, conditioning entails cooling the unconditioned air.This can occur by the removal of heat from the flow tunnels by thethermoelectric cooler(s) that are in thermal communication with them. Inadditional embodiments, conditioning entails heating the unconditionedair, which can occur by the addition of heat to the flow tunnels by thethermoelectric cooler(s).

In other embodiments, vehicle air comfort systems may include additionalcomponents. For instance, in some embodiments, a vehicle air comfortsystem can comprise a plurality of thermoelectric coolers that are inthermal communication with the flow tunnels. In additional embodiments,the system can comprise a plurality of fins that are operable todissipate thermal energy from the thermoelectric coolers. Vehicle aircomfort systems can also comprise a thermoelectric cooler exhaust foroutputting dissipated thermal energy from the thermoelectric cooler. Inother embodiments, the vehicle air comfort systems can comprise one ormore fans that are operable to move conditioned or unconditioned airwithin a system. For instance, the fans may be speed-controlled fans topush and/or pull air across a system.

In additional embodiments, a vehicle air comfort system can furthercomprise a pre-cool unit for pre-cooling the unconditioned air beforethe conditioning occurs. In other embodiments, a vehicle air comfortsystem can comprise one or more filter units for filtering theconditioned and/or unconditioned air, a water pumping unit to add waterto filter units, and/or an evaporator unit for humidifying theconditioned or unconditioned air.

In additional embodiments, a vehicle air comfort system can furthercomprise one or more sensors for monitoring one or more conditions thatare associated with a system. For instance, sensors may exist formonitoring conditions such as the temperature of the unconditioned air,the temperature of the conditioned air, the humidity of the conditionedair, and/or the humidity of the unconditioned air. In additionalembodiments, the vehicle air comfort system can also comprise a userinterface that is operable to display the monitored conditions to auser. In additional embodiments, a user interface may enable a user tocontrol the monitored conditions. In further embodiments, a controllermay control the monitored conditions automatically.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aircomfort system 100 adapted to cool the inside of an enclosure, such as,for example, a cabin and/or sleeping space of a tractor-traileraccording to one embodiment. The air comfort system 100 generallycomprises air inlet 102, pre-cool unit 104, filter and evaporator 106,water and pump 108, controller 110, heat transfer assembly 112, TECexhaust 114, exhaust air outlet 122, variable speed fan 116, and airoutlet 123. As discussed in more detail below, heat transfer assembly112 in one embodiment may comprise the components shown in FIG. 3,including a plurality of fins 306, a plurality of thermoelectric coolers302, and a plurality of flow tunnels 304.

Referring again to FIG. 1, air comfort system 100 is adapted to receiveair via air inlet 102. The air passing through air inlet 102 may be airfrom either inside or outside the enclosure or a combination of the two.As will be explained in more detail below, the air may pass through apre-cool unit 104 before going to a filter 106. Furthermore, as will beunderstood by one skilled in the art, the order in which the air ispassed through the various modules of the air comfort system 100 may bevaried while still accomplishing the goal of conditioning the air byeither cooling or heating the air.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air comfort system 100 includes a variable speedfan 116 to pull air through the system 100. However, it is alsocontemplated that one or more variable speed fans 116 may be disposed atvarious locations in or around the system 100 in order to move the air.The variable-speed fans 116 may be utilized to either push the airthrough the system 100, pull the air through the system 100, or acombination of pushing and pulling the air through the system 100. Inthe embodiment shown, the air passes through a module 106 comprising acombination filter and evaporator before passing to a heat transferassembly 112. In various embodiments, the module 106 may be only afilter, only an evaporator, both or may be neither. The filter of module106 may help remove dirt, debris, allergens, and/or other contaminantsfrom the air passing therethrough. The evaporator of module 106 may be amist membrane that humidifies the air. In the embodiment shown, a pump108 is used to deliver water from an H₂O or other fluid reservoir to themist membrane to increase the humidity of the air passing therethrough.In addition, a humidity sensor may be utilized to monitor the humidityof the air either before the mist membrane, after the mist membrane, orboth. A determination may then be made as to whether the humidity of theair should be increased and/or whether evaporative cooling may beutilized to increase the efficiency of cooling the ambient air.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, after the air passes through thefilter and evaporator module 106, the air is then passed through theheat transfer assembly 112. As will be explained in more detail below,the heat transfer assembly 112 may include a plurality of flow tunnelswith multiple fins on both an inside and an outside section thereof. Theinside fins may produce a controlled temperature flow that is passedthrough the air outlet 123 via the variable speed fan 116. The outsidefins may pass the opposite thermal flow of air to a TEC exhaust 114 tothe exhaust air 122. In some embodiments, the system may produce thecontrolled temperature by either heating an ambient temperature orcooling an ambient temperature.

In various embodiments, a plurality of sensors may be utilized tomonitor various aspects of the system 100 and/or the environment. Forexample, in various embodiments, the system 100 may have a controller110 containing one or more processors adapted to receive a plurality ofsignals from one or more of the plurality of sensors. The sensors may bedisposed so as to monitor the temperature inside the enclosed space, thetemperature outside the enclosed space, the humidity of the air, thebattery power, and/or any other aspect that may need to be monitored toensure a comfortable environment inside the enclosed space. In someembodiments, the system 100 has a user interface in which a user canmanually set and adjust a desired temperature. In some embodiments, theuser interface may include a display and interface located on the system100 and/or a user interface remotely disposed from the system 100 wherethe remotely disposed interface may be coupled to the system 100 via awired link and/or a wireless link.

In various embodiments, the heat transfer assembly 112 heats or coolsthe air passing there across using a plurality of TECs. The temperatureof the TECs may be controlled by controller 110 utilizing a pulse-widthmodulation and/or voltage variance in a manner adapted to reduce powerconsumption. In some embodiments, the system 100 may be powered from thevehicle's battery unit 118. Some embodiments may contain an alarm orauto-start function to prevent the battery 118 from discharging beyondtruck-cranking capability. In some embodiments, the system 100 may bepowered from a power supply independent of the vehicle's battery. Insome embodiments, the system may utilize a solar array 120 to use and/orstore solar energy. The solar array 120 may have an internal battery tomaximize the solar energy available for use. In various embodiments, thesystem 100 may store energy for later use by cooling a phase-changemedium disposed in an insulated unit, such as, for example, an ice tank.Thereafter, air may be cooled using this stored cooling prior to beingused to cool the enclosed space either with or without additionalcooling.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cutaway view of a tractor-trailer 200 isshown. An air comfort system 202 is shown disposed inside a sleepingarea of the tractor-trailer 200. The system 202 has vents for dispersingthe conditioned air within the enclosed area and also has a vent coupledto an area outside the tractor-trailer for dispersing the exhaust airoutside the enclosed area. The size, shape, location and othercharacteristics of the system 202 are only for exemplary purposes andcan be varied substantially without departing from the contemplatedscope of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded view of one embodiment of a heattransfer assembly 300 can be seen. In the embodiment shown, a pluralityof flow tunnels 304 adapted for air to pass therethrough can be seen. Onopposite sides of the flow tunnels 304, a plurality of TECs 302 can beseen. In the embodiment shown, the TECs 302 are in thermal communicationwith the flow tunnels 304. In addition, on the sides of the TECs 302opposite of the flow tunnels 304, a plurality of fins 306 can be seen.When the heat transfer assembly 300 is being utilized to cool airpassing through the flow tunnels 304, electricity is run through theTECs 302 to remove heat from the flow tunnels 304. Similarly, when theHeat transfer assembly 300 is being utilized to heat air passing throughthe flow tunnels 304, electricity is run through the TECs 302 to addheat to the flow tunnels 304. In either mode of operation, the pluralityof fins 306 are adapted to dissipate thermal energy from the TECs 302,as needed.

Applicants note that FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of only one embodimentof a heat transfer assembly that is suitable for the present invention.In additional embodiments, and as discussed in more detail below, heattransfer assemblies of the present invention may be associated with oneor more heat pipes for removing heat, such as the heat pipes describedand disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,409. Applicants further note thatseveral other arrangements of heat transfer assemblies are contemplated,such as the arrangements described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,305,843 and U.S.Pub. Pat. App. No. 2006/0034053. The above-mentioned references havebeen assigned to the assignees of the present application and areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In a second example, the present disclosure provides additional vehicleair comfort systems and methods. As will be discussed in more detailbelow, the vehicle air conditioning systems in the second example canincorporate various components of the vehicle air conditioning systemsof the first example described above. With reference to air comfortsystem 400 shown in FIG. 4 for illustrative purposes, air comfortsystems in the second example can comprise an air inlet 416 forreceiving unconditioned air 418, a heat transfer assembly 402 forthermally conditioning an unconditioned heat transfer fluid 428 (shownhere in tubing network 412 as discussed below), and a thermal exchangeassembly 422 for facilitating thermal exchange between the thermallyconditioned heat-transfer fluid 421 and unconditioned air 418. Thethermal exchange results in the conditioning of the air, such as byheating or cooling. For instance, if the heat transfer fluid has beencooled during the thermal conditioning, the heat exchange results in thetransfer of heat from the unconditioned air to the heat transfer fluidto result in the cooling of the air. Likewise, if the heat transferfluid has been heated during thermal conditioning, the thermal exchangeresults in the transfer of heat from the heat transfer fluid to theunconditioned air to result in the heating of the air.

As shown in the embodiment in FIG. 4, vehicle air comfort systems inaccordance with the second example may also contain an air outlet 424,such as a vent, for outputting the conditioned air into a vehicle. Inaddition, the systems may contain a tubing network 412 for placing heattransfer assembly 402 in fluid communication with thermal exchangeassembly 422.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, tubing network 412 is a closed-loopcircuit. In addition, tubing network 412 comprises a pump 414 forfacilitating the passage of the heat-transfer fluid through system 400.However, other suitable tubing networks can also be envisioned by peopleof ordinary skill in the art.

Similarly, various heat transfer fluids may be used in the vehicle aircomfort systems of the present invention. For instance, in someembodiments, the heat-transfer fluid can be a coolant. In otherembodiments, the heat transfer fluid can be water. Other suitable heattransfer fluids may also be envisioned by people of ordinary skill inthe art.

Referring again to FIG. 4, heat transfer assembly 402 comprises aplurality of flow tunnels 404, thermoelectric coolers 406 that are inthermal communication with the flow tunnels, fins 408 for dissipatingthermal energy from the TEC's, and fans 410 for facilitating themovement of air. However, as will be understood by one skilled in theart, the order and arrangement of the above-mentioned heat transferassembly components may be varied. Furthermore, in additionalembodiments, one or more of the above-mentioned components may beentirely absent. In other embodiments, heat transfer assembly 402 mayresemble heat transfer assembly 300 shown in FIG. 3. In furtherembodiments, heat transfer assembly 402 may resemble the heat transferassemblies described and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,305,843 and U.S.Pub. Pat. App. No. 2006/0034053. In additional embodiments, and asdiscussed in more detail below, heat transfer assembly 402 may beassociated with one or more heat pipes for removing heat, such as theheat pipes described and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,409.

Various thermal exchange assemblies may also be used with the vehicleair comfort systems of the present invention. For instance, and withreference again to FIG. 4 for illustrative purposes, thermal exchangeassembly 422 may comprise a fluid inlet 423 for receiving thermallyconditioned heat transfer fluid 421, body 425 for facilitating thermalexchange between the heat transfer fluid 421 and unconditioned air 418,and fluid outlet 427 for outputting the heat transfer fluid after theheat exchange.

In some embodiments, the thermal exchange assembly may be a radiator. Inother embodiments, the thermal exchange assembly may be a heat pipe,such as a heat pipe described and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,409.In other embodiments, the thermal exchange assembly may constitute oneor more components of a heat transfer assembly, such heat transferassembly 300 shown in FIG. 3, heat transfer assembly 402 shown in FIG.4, or one or more of the heat transfer assemblies described anddisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,305,843 and U.S. Pub. Pat. App. No.2006/0034053. In further embodiments, and as will be discussed in moredetail below, thermal exchange assemblies may be associated with adehumidifier for dehumidifying the conditioned or unconditioned air.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a fan 420 is also in proximity tothermal exchange assembly 422 for facilitating the thermal exchangebetween the air and the thermal exchange fluid. However, in otherembodiments, more fans may be present to facilitate such thermalexchange. In other embodiments, no fans may be present at all.

Vehicle air comfort systems in accordance with the second exampledescribed above have various modes of operation. For instance, in someembodiments, and with reference again to system 400 in FIG. 4, thermallyunconditioned heat transfer fluid 428 in tubing network 412 first passesthrough flow tunnels 404. The heat transfer fluid is then thermallyconditioned in the flow tunnels by the thermoelectric coolers 406. Next,the thermally conditioned heat transfer fluid 421 enters thermalexchange assembly 422 through fluid inlet 423. At the same time,unconditioned air 418 enters the system 400 through air inlet 416 andpasses through thermal exchange assembly 422. The simultaneous flow ofunconditioned air and thermally conditioned heat transfer fluid throughthermal exchange assembly 422 results in thermal exchange between theheat transfer fluid and the unconditioned air. Consequently, the thermalexchange results in the conditioning of the unconditioned air.Thereafter, conditioned air 426 exits system 400 through air outlet 424.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, tubing network 412 helps pass theheat-transfer fluid through the heat transfer assembly 402 and thermalexchange assembly 422. In addition, fan 420 facilitates the passing ofthe unconditioned air through the thermal exchange assembly 422. In theembodiment shown, fan 420 may also facilitate the outputting of theconditioned air 426 from system 400.

In some embodiments, air comfort systems of the present invention cancool unconditioned air. In such embodiments, the thermal conditioning ofthe heat transfer fluid entails the cooling of the heat-transfer fluid.This can occur through the extraction of heat from the flow tunnels bythe TEC's (as previously described) as the heat transfer fluid passesthrough the flow tunnels. Similarly, in such embodiments, the thermalexchange entails the transfer of heat from the unconditioned air to thecooled heat transfer fluid to result in the cooling of the unconditionedair.

In other embodiments, air comfort systems of the present invention canheat unconditioned air. In such embodiments, the thermal conditioning ofthe heat transfer fluid entails the heating of the heat-transfer fluid.Such heating can occur by the addition of heat to the flow tunnels bythe thermoelectric coolers (as previously described) as the heattransfer fluid passes through the flow tunnels. Similarly, in suchembodiments, the thermal exchange entails the transfer of heat from theheat transfer fluid to the unconditioned air to result in the heating ofthe unconditioned air.

The conditioning of air by the use of the vehicle air comfort systems ofthe second example can also be in response to one or more monitoredconditions, as previously described. Likewise, as described previously,such monitoring can occur by one or more sensors that may be detectableon a user interface.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the order andarrangement of the above-mentioned steps may be varied while stillaccomplishing the goals of the present invention. Likewise, inadditional embodiments, one or more of the above-mentioned steps may beentirely absent while sill accomplishing the goals of the presentinvention.

Furthermore, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, the orderand arrangement of the above-mentioned components of a vehicle aircomfort system in accordance with the second example depicted in FIG. 4may be varied while still accomplishing the goals of the presentinvention. In particular, in additional embodiments, one or more of theabove-mentioned components may be entirely absent. For instance, in someembodiments, and as previously described and shown in FIG. 1, thevehicle air comfort systems in the second example may contain athermoelectric cooler exhaust for outputting dissipated thermal energyfrom the thermoelectric cooler. Likewise, the vehicle air comfortsystems of the second example may also include one or more sensors formonitoring one or more operating conditions associated with the system.For instance, the vehicle air comfort systems may comprise sensors thatmonitor the temperature of the unconditioned heat transfer fluid, thetemperature of the conditioned heat transfer fluid, the temperature ofthe unconditioned air, the temperature of the conditioned air, thehumidity of the conditioned air, and/or the humidity of theunconditioned air. Similarly, the vehicle air comfort systems of thesecond example can also comprise a user interface and/or a controller aspreviously described and shown in FIG. 1.

The broad scope of vehicle air comfort systems in accordance with thesecond example of the present invention can be further illustrated byreference to FIGS. 5-7. In particular FIG. 5 depicts vehicle air comfortsystem 500 with air inlet 516, thermal exchange assembly 522, heattransfer assembly 502, and air outlet 524. The system also contains fan536 and dehumidifier 537. In addition, vehicle air comfort system 500contains tubing network 512 for placing heat transfer assembly 502 influid communication with thermal exchange assembly 522.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, tubing network 512 is also aclosed-loop circuit with a plurality of tubes (i.e., tubes 529, 530, 531and additional tubes not shown). In addition, tubing network 512 in thisembodiment contains a pump 514 for facilitating the fluid communicationbetween thermal exchange assembly 522 and heat transfer assembly 502.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, thermal exchange assembly 522 alsocontains a fluid inlet 523, a body 525, and a fluid outlet 527. Thermalexchange assembly 522 is also in close proximity to fan 536 anddehumidifier 537.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a more detailed illustration of dehumidifier 537is shown. In particular, dehumidifier 537 in this embodiment containsfilter unit 540 and fan 542. However, in other embodiments, adehumidifier may not contain a fan. Other suitable dehumidifiers mayalso be envisioned by persons of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring again to FIG. 5, heat transfer assembly 502 in system 500 isshown to contain two sets of a plurality of flow tunnels 504 (504′ and504″) that are in thermal communication with thermoelectric coolers 506.Heat transfer assembly 502 also contains fins 508 and fan 510. A sideview of heat transfer assembly 502 in FIG. 7 also shows that the heattransfer assembly in this embodiment is associated with additional fans510 and thermoelectric coolers 506. Heat transfer assembly 502 in thisembodiment is also associated with dehumidifier 737 and heat pipes 550.

Vehicle air comfort system 500 shown in FIGS. 5-7 can also have variousmodes of operation. For instance, in one embodiment, flow tunnels 504′and 504″ receive thermally unconditioned heat transfer fluid from thetubes in tubing network 512. Thereafter, thermoelectric coolers 506facilitate the thermal conditioning of the heat transfer fluid as itpasses through the flow tunnels. Next, the heat transfer fluid passesthrough thermal exchange assembly 522 as previously described. At thesame time, unconditioned air 518 enters system 500 through air inlet 516and passes through thermal exchange assembly 522. This results inthermal exchange between the heat transfer fluid and the unconditionedair, and the conditioning of the air. Thereafter, conditioned air 526exits system 500 through air outlet 524. Before exiting the system,conditioned air 526 may come into contact with dehumidifier 537. Suchcontact may result in the dehumification of the conditioned air beforeit exits the system. Furthermore, and as previously discussed, fan 536may facilitate the thermal exchange process.

Although various embodiments of the method and apparatus of the presentinvention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings anddescribed in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but iscapable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutionswithout departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of conditioning air of a vehicle, themethod comprising: circulating a heat-transfer fluid through a pluralityof flow tunnels; thermally conditioning the heat-transfer fluid viathermal exposure to a thermoelectric element; receiving unconditionedair into an air inlet; thermally conditioning the unconditioned air viathermal exchange between the thermally conditioned heat-transfer fluidand the unconditioned air; humidifying at least one of the unconditionedair and the conditioned air via a mist membrane; and dischargingthermally conditioned air into the vehicle.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the thermally conditioning the unconditioned air comprisescooling the unconditioned air.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thethermally conditioning the unconditioned air comprises heating theunconditioned air.
 4. The method of claim 1, comprising dissipatingthermal energy from the thermal energy from the thermoelectric elementvia a plurality of fins associated with the thermoelectric element. 5.The method of claim 1, where in the thermally conditioning theunconditioned air comprises: receiving the thermally conditionedheat-transfer fluid into a fluid inlet; facilitating, via athermal-exchange body, thermal exchange between the thermallyconditioned heat-transfer fluid and the unconditioned air; andoutputting the heat-transfer fluid via a fluid outlet.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, comprising moving the unconditioned air from the air inlet to athermal exchange assembly via a fan.
 7. The method of claim 1,comprising pre-cooling the unconditioned air.
 8. The method of claim 7,comprising filtering the unconditioned air.
 9. The method of claim 1,comprising delivering water from a fluid reservoir to the mist membrane.10. The method of claim 9, comprising monitoring, via a sensor ahumidity of at least one of the unconditioned air and the conditionedair.
 11. A method of conditioning air of a vehicle, the methodcomprising: circulating a heat-transfer fluid through a plurality offlow tunnels; thermally conditioning the heat-transfer fluid via thermalexposure to a thermoelectric element; receiving unconditioned air intoan air inlet; thermally conditioning the unconditioned air via thermalexchange between the thermally conditioned heat-transfer fluid and theunconditioned air; dehumidifying at least one of the unconditioned airand the conditioned air; and discharging thermally conditioned air intothe vehicle.
 12. The method of claim 11, comprising dehumidifying atleast one of the unconditioned air and the conditioned air via adehumidification fin.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein theheat-transfer fluid is water.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein theheat-transfer fluid is glycol.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein theheat-transfer fluid is alcohol.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein thecirculating the heat-transfer fluid comprises circulating theheat-transfer fluid in a closed loop.